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Matt Vieira

Lowell native and first-time City Council contender Matt Vieira on why he should get your vote.

LOWELL - To Pawtucketville resident Matt Vieira, watching City Council meetings Tuesday nights has started to seem more like watching a reality TV show or comedy show.

Vieira, 23, said he decided to run for a seat this year to bring an end to clashes between councilors.

"I think it sheds a bad light on the city," he said. "I want to be able to bring unity to the council. I want to be able to put the people of Lowell first and listen to their concerns as opposed to the infighting."

The first-time candidate said he hopes to strike a middle ground between what he sees as different governing styles, looking out for both Lowell's residents and its economic interests.

One of Vieira's goals is to change the city's form of government, so it would be run by a directly elected mayor rather than a city manager, a system he feels would give residents more of a say.

"We elect a council to represent us, but oftentimes that council is put into place and choosing a mayor within the first couple weeks without really knowing what that candidate may stand for," he said. "I think it's important to have the people choose."

Vieira is a Lowell native and graduate of Lowell Catholic High School.

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He works in the operations department at Sage Bank and is completing a bachelor's degree in business administration at Rivier College.

His first taste of politics came when he volunteered on the congressional campaign of Republican Jim Ogonowski, who lost his bid against current Rep. Niki Tsongas in 2008. Vieira said he's now running for council with Ogonowski's endorsement.

Before that, Vieria said he's always wanted to serve, beginning with his days as an altar boy.

Matt Vieira

If elected, Vieira said he hopes to lower the tax rates for businesses and take a "proactive approach" to economic development, creating special programs, deals and memberships to help small businesses attract customers.

Follow Katie Lannan on Twitter and Tout @katielannan.

Name: Matt Vieira

Age: 23

Address: 47 Laurie Lane

Occupation: Operations at Sage Bank

Salary: Declined to give because would violate confidentiality agreement with employer.

Local professional, fraternal or nonprofit affiliations: Former advisory board member for Lowell General Hospital's TeamWalk for CancerCare

Most important issue facing the city: Economic development and public safety.

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